Track canoes as they Paddle to Quinault

Canoes are scheduled to arrive in Taholah this week for Paddle to Quinault, and you can follow their progress as they come in. Some of the canoes participating in the annual event can be tracked online thanks to the Quinault Indian Nation. Awebsite is updated every 10 minutes, tracking 9 tribes as they descend on Grays Harbor.

The North Kitsap Herald reported that approximately 100 canoes are expected to arrive at Quinault for traditional welcoming ceremonies on Aug. 1, according to Quinault Nation President Fawn Sharp.

“It has been 24 years since [the] Paddle to Seattle first revitalized this long-held Northwest tribal tradition, and the event has gained momentum throughout the Northwest ever since,” Sharp said in a press release.

This year’s Journey is expected to draw an estimated 15,000 tribal and non-tribal visitors to Grays Harbor. The canoes will be escorted by the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain as they continue their journey down the coast.

“All visitors are welcome, as is our tribal custom,” said Guy Capoeman, Paddle to Quinault coordinator.

This year’s Journey is significant because that the man who started the journey was a Quinault Tribal Elder. Emmett Oliver organized the Paddle to Seattle in 1989 as part of the state’s Centennial Celebratio,.

“The contemporary Canoe Journeys began in 1989,” said Capoeman, “We can expect anywhere from 90 U.S. Tribes, Canadian First Nations, and even New Zealand to join the celebration. In the past, we have seen canoes from Alaska and even Hawaii join in on this event..”

Local company NWSN will be live streaming the event starting on August 1st as the canoes arrive onto the beach. The website for the free live stream will be at www.GHWebTV.com.